[qohen]

I was looking into PLBs earlier this evening, for obvious reasons and, since the topic was mentioned here, and since this might be helpful to people, I'll describe something notable I found.

On a site called outdoorgearlab.com, which has reviews of a number of units, one stood out in particular for being simple, well-reviewed (there and elsewhere) and relatively inexpensive.

The ACR ResQlink 406 Personal Locator Beacon, reviewed here [0], is around $250-$300, has a 5-year battery and doesn't require any subscription/data-plan, like some units that can send msgs do -- it just reliably sends S.O.S. messages to the relevant satellites in orbit (and it will send such messages at 5 watts, which is around 2.5 - 12x the power used by some other units -- helpful when sending data to a satellite).

There's a ResQlink+ model now too -- it's buoyant (the ResQlink is not) so it floats (but doesn't come w/a case, from what I read and is about 20 grams heavier).

[0] http://www.outdoorgearlab.com/Personal-Locator-Beacon-Review...

[ChoGGi]

I suppose I should've checked my comments earlier:

I didn't bother getting one with a plan (seemed like a waste), I just have it for emergencies.

If you do buy one then make sure to check the battery expiration date, also good to check it when you buy a "new" battery. Last time I bought a new battery it was over a year old (sent it back).

For anyone buying a PLB, make sure it broadcasts at 406 MHz and 121.5 MHz (long range / short range)

[qohen]

BTW, the manufacturer is running a promotion [0] that, if you buy the ResQlink or ResQlink+ (or Aqualink), you can get a $50 rebate. (Or get a ResQlink+ for free if you buy a $700-ish GlobalFix iPro). Check the promotion [0] and rebate-form [1] for details.

[0] https://www.acrartex.com/info/2016-usa-promotions/

[1] https://www.acrartex.com/media/1377019/epirb-us-rebate-form-...